In his address to European leaders, Gitanas Nausėda stressed that a stronger European defense is not a luxury but an existential necessity.
The Head of State urged EU Member States to increase defense spending to at least 3% of their gross domestic product, noting that Lithuania has allocated 4% of its GDP this year and aims to increase it to 6% by 2030. The President emphasized the importance of identifying additional resources for defense within the EU’s current multiannual financial framework and making defense a key priority in the next MFF (2028–2034).
During the meeting, Gitanas Nausėda emphasized that strengthening EU borders with Russia and Belarus, investing in military mobility, and achieving a more equitable distribution of defense industrial capacity are essential for the security of the EU as a whole. These factors should also be reflected in the White Paper on EU Security and Defense currently being prepared by the European Commission.
On support for Ukraine, the President called for concrete measures for long-term military support and for the integration of Ukraine’s defense industry into the EU’s defense technological and industrial base.
Underlining the importance of closer EU cooperation with NATO and the United Kingdom, Gitanas Nausėda noted that the EU’s partnership with NATO would help streamline resources, boost the defense industry, as well as enhance military mobility and the protection of critical infrastructure, and that the EU-UK Security and Defense Partnership, currently under consideration, is not just beneficial but also imperative.
This informal EU leaders’ retreat is aimed at preparing for future decisions on European defense to be made at the regular European Council meeting scheduled in June and at providing guidance to the European Commission in drafting the White Paper on the future of European defense.
At this informal meeting, EU leaders also discussed these issues with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
